Minister: Allow voters register without IDs

By Mangoa Mosota

Immigration Minister Otieno Kajwang’ wants Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to allow Kenyans without national identity cards register as voters using waiting letters.

Mr Kajwang’ said millions of people would be left out in voting if IEBC insists that a national registration card is a must before registration.

The minister said there are only a few days to the start of voter registration, adding that it would be impossible to have all Kenyans aged 18 and above to have IDs.

Speaking at the burial of former Rarieda MP Odeny Ngure at Kobong’ village, Siaya County on Saturday, Kajwang’ asked IEBC to be flexible.

Trade Assistant minister Manson Nyamweya and Gem MP Jakoyo Midiwo supported his sentiments.

The duo said there was no point of holding general elections when preparations were questionable.

“We cannot be talking about polls when there is no voters’ register. Are we going to use the old one, which will lock out millions of eligible voters who have not registered,” posed Mr Nyamweya.

Although Government has made the acquisition of IDs free, some youth still do not have the document.